Gerunds and infinitives are two common verb forms in English that allow verbs to function as nouns. Understanding when to use each form is essential for grammatical accuracy and natural expression.
What Are Gerunds and Infinitives?
Gerunds are formed by adding -ing to a verb (e.g., swimming, reading). They always function as nouns.
Infinitives are formed by adding to before the base verb (e.g., to swim, to read). They can function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs.
| Verb Form | Example | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Gerund | Swimming is fun. | Subject (noun) |
| Infinitive | To swim is fun. | Subject (noun) |
Both sentences are correct; the choice between gerund and infinitive can depend on style or meaning.
When to Use Gerunds: Common Patterns and Examples
Gerunds are used in specific situations—following certain verbs, prepositions, and in particular expressions. They always act as nouns.
Gerunds After Certain Verbs
Gerunds follow verbs that express liking, disliking, or avoiding. These verbs focus on the action itself.
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| enjoy | She enjoys dancing. |
| avoid | He avoids driving at night. |
| finish | They finished working early. |
Gerunds After Prepositions
When a verb comes after a preposition (e.g., in, on, at, by), use the gerund form.
| Preposition | Example |
|---|---|
| in | She is good at painting. |
| by | He improved by practicing daily. |
| on | They insisted on waiting. |
Gerunds in Fixed Expressions
Some expressions always use gerunds.
| Expression | Example |
|---|---|
| look forward to | I look forward to meeting you. |
| can’t help | She can’t help smiling. |
| be used to | They are used to working hard. |
When to Use Infinitives: Common Patterns and Examples
Infinitives are used to express purpose, intention, or future action. They often come after certain verbs, adjectives, or nouns.
Infinitives After Certain Verbs
Infinitives follow verbs that express desires, plans, or decisions.
| Verb | Example |
|---|---|
| want | I want to leave. |
| decide | They decided to go early. |
| hope | She hopes to visit Paris. |
Which verb is correctly followed by an infinitive?
She hopes to visit Paris.
Verbs expressing desire or intent, like "hope," are followed by the infinitive form (to + verb).
Infinitives After Adjectives and Nouns
Infinitives often complete the meaning of adjectives or nouns.
| Word Type | Example |
|---|---|
| Adjective | It’s easy to learn English. |
| Noun | I have a lot of work to do. |
Infinitives Expressing Purpose
Use infinitives to explain why something is done.
| Example |
|---|
| She studies to pass the exam. |
| He called to ask a question. |
Which sentence correctly uses an infinitive to express purpose?
He called to ask a question.
Infinitives (to + verb) can express purpose, as in "called to ask."
Verbs That Can Take Both (with Meaning Changes)
Some verbs can be followed by either a gerund or an infinitive, but the meaning changes.
| Verb | Gerund Example | Meaning | Infinitive Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| stop | She stopped smoking. | Quit the habit. | She stopped to smoke. | Paused another activity. |
| remember | I remembered locking the door. | Recall a past action. | Remembered to lock the door. | Didn’t forget to do it. |
| try | Try eating less sugar. | Experiment. | Try to eat soon. | Make an effort. |
Summary Table of Most Common Patterns
| Pattern | Example | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Verb + gerund | She enjoys reading. | After certain verbs. |
| Verb + infinitive | I want to read. | After certain verbs. |
| Preposition + gerund | He is good at writing. | After prepositions. |
| Adjective + infinitive | It’s hard to write. | After adjectives. |
| Noun + infinitive | I have a letter to write. | When a noun is followed by an infinitive. |
Conclusion
- Gerunds act as nouns and follow certain verbs, prepositions, and fixed expressions.
- Infinitives express purpose, intention, or are used after certain verbs, adjectives, and nouns.
- Some verbs take only gerunds (e.g., enjoy), others only infinitives (e.g., decide), and a few can take both with a change in meaning (e.g., stop).
- When in doubt, consult a verb list or dictionary for correct usage.
Learning the rules and common patterns will help you choose the correct form and communicate more naturally in English.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
